Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service records indicate he served in the Republic of Vietnam and was presumed exposed to Agent Orange. He has a current diagnosis of type II diabetes mellitus, which is presumed to be etiologically related to exposure to herbicides.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that it was not pending at the time of his death. The issue of whether the cause of death (diabetes mellitus) is related to service remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to be the cause of his current peripheral neuropathy, thus granting service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the cumulative impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension for extraschedular consideration if necessary.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus requires insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities. The Board finds his disability picture meets the criteria for a 40 percent rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity due to new evidence submitted. The claims are granted.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's current diabetes mellitus and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy to his service-connected nephritic syndrome, or to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is not related to her military service, and thus denies her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when combined with his education and occupational experience, do not preclude him from participating in all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's skin condition involving the left side of his face is currently rated at 80 percent, which is the highest schedular evaluation available under the Diagnostic Codes for scars. The effective date remains March 16, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for renal cell carcinoma, atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, and benign prostatic hypertrophy as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service connection for peripheral vascular disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The TDIU claim remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic nephropathy, arterial hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease have not been manifested by persistent edema or albuminuria with BUN of 40 to 80 mg% or creatinine of 4 to 8 mg%, which would warrant a higher rating. The claim for increased ratings is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is not service connected due to lack of evidence showing a link between his military service and the condition.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and proteinuria is currently rated at 100 percent since September 4, 2007.,Diabetic nephropathy has been rated at 80 percent since May 12, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to herbicide exposure are denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in his military service. The claim for secondary service connection for hypertension due to diabetes mellitus also fails.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and is not presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides. The evidence does not show a current disability during service or immediately thereafter.